Can Your PC Become Neurotic?

Roland Piquepaille writes "This article starts with a quote from Douglas Adams: 'The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong, it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair.' It is true that machines are becoming more complex and 'intelligent' everyday. Does this mean that they can exhibit unpredictable behavior like HAL, the supercomputer in '2001: A Space Odyssey'? Do we have to fear our PCs? A recent book by Thomas M. Georges, 'Digital Soul: Intelligent Machines and Human Values,' explains how our machines can develop neurosis and what kind of therapy exist. Check this column for a summary or read this highly recommended article from Darwin Magazine for more details."

Comments

I was going to write that paper last night..

[Open_The_Box]

...but my PC just wanted to snuggle. ;-)

My PC has been neurotic for years

[curtisk]

...ever since it started wearing large glasses and dating a young asian girl....that wacky PC!

its happening today

[KingRamsis]

Does this mean that they can exhibit unpredictable behavior...
Yes our W2K exchange server became self-aware today and decided to commit suicide...

Easy solution...

[acehole]

What I do is keep smashed up computer parts next to the tower so it knows what will happen if it displeases it's master.

Re:Easy solution...

[Zapman]

Ritually disemboweling a computer on the network does certainly seem to keep the rest of the network in line for a while.

{wavy imagination lines}

Yes, I'm a computer therapist.

Thank you for coming doctor. Our computers have been cranky ever since we 'realigned' our sysadmin (he didn't SEEM to be doing anything useful). Downtime is on the rise, Our databases return 'luser' to one querry in three, and our CIO's Office Assistant's computer only prints swear words!

Ok. I think I know what the problem is. Do you have a fire ax?

A FIRE AX!!!

Yes. Ahh. I believe I saw one on the wall outside. Follow me please.

{obtains ax}

Now, could you lead me to your datacenter?

uh... ok...

{finds a development box, and repeatedly evicerates it with said ax.}

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!!!

I just bought you a few days grace. Go back and hire your Sysadmin again. The boxes will be happy you did. Until then, I've scared them into submission.

Neurotic.....no

[revery]

When I clicked on the link, I got the following error:

411 Your computer doesn't care

So, is my computer neurotic? No, but it's apathetic attitude is getting to be a pain.

--

Was it the sheep climbing onto the altar, or the cattle lowing to be slain,
or the Son of God hanging dead and bloodied on a cross that told me this was a world condemned, but loved and bought with blood.

What would YOU do?

[gosand]

Does this mean that they can exhibit unpredictable behavior...

Yes our W2K exchange server became self-aware today and decided to commit suicide...

Well, what would YOU do if you suddenly became self-aware, and realize you were an Exchange server?

I don't care how crazy it gets

[IWantMoreSpamPlease]

I still have access to the power cord.
-

Re:Marvin

[dirvish]

I was amazed by the lack of Marvin references also. Apparently only one other mention in the whole discussion. It will take years or development to create an android as depressed as Marvin.